Container with hinged compartment

ABSTRACT

A container comprises a primary compartment, an auxiliary compartment, and a hinge. The primary compartment includes a principle wall, a first lateral wall, and a primary compartment opening opposite the principle wall. The auxiliary compartment includes a first wall and a second wall extending away from each other, and an auxiliary compartment opening extending between the first wall and the second wall. The hinge rotatably couples the primary compartment to the auxiliary compartment such that the auxiliary compartment is rotatably between an open position and a closed position. When the auxiliary compartment is in the closed position, the auxiliary compartment opening faces and is substantially covered by the first lateral wall.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Containers for storing and transporting ready-made food items take various forms. Oftentimes, such containers are in the form of a bowl or other dish allowing the food item to be eaten directly therefrom. In such instances, it can be desirable to have eating utensils, napkins, condiments, or similar provided with the food item. In the prior art, such utensils, napkins, condiments, etc. are often provided in the container with the food item, which can result in the utensils, napkins, condiments, etc. being soiled by the food item and/or require a user to place their fingers into the food item to remove the utensils, napkins, condiments, etc. therefrom, which is less than desirable.

SUMMARY

A container comprises a primary compartment, an auxiliary compartment, and a hinge. The primary compartment includes a principle wall, a first lateral wall, and a primary compartment opening opposite the principle wall. The auxiliary compartment includes a first wall and a second wall extending away from each other, and an auxiliary compartment opening extending between the first wall and the second wall. The hinge rotatably couples the primary compartment to the auxiliary compartment such that the auxiliary compartment is rotatably between an open position and a closed position. When the auxiliary compartment is in the closed position, the auxiliary compartment opening faces and is substantially covered by the first lateral wall. Other containers, packaged products, and associated methods are also described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will be described with respect to the figures, in which like reference numerals denote like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view illustration of a container, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view illustration of the container of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the container of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the container of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a right side view of the container of FIG. 1 with the left side view being a mirror image of the right side view, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the container of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the container of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an open perspective view illustration of the container of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a detailed rear perspective view illustration of the container of FIG. 1 with the lower compartment in an open position, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view illustration of the container of FIG. 1 filled with a food items and other auxiliary items, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view illustration of the container of FIG. 1 with label, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a front perspective view illustration of the container of FIG. 1 with label, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view illustration of a plurality of containers on a display shelf for retail sale, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a front perspective view illustration of a container, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a rear perspective view illustration of the container of FIG. 14, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a front view of the container of FIG. 14, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a rear view of the container of FIG. 14, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a right side view of the container of FIG. 14 with the left side view being a mirror image of the right side view, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a top view of the container of FIG. 14, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a bottom view of the container of FIG. 14, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description of the invention provides example embodiments and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background of the invention or the following detailed description of the invention. Relational terms herein such a first, second, top, bottom, etc. may be used herein solely to distinguish one entity or action from another without necessarily requiring or implying an actual such relationship or order. In addition, as used herein, the term “about” or “substantially” applies to all numeric values or descriptive terms, respectively, and generally indicate a range of numbers or characteristics that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited values or terms, that is, having the same function or results.

This innovation provides a container particularly useful for food items including a primary compartment and an auxiliary compartment hingedly coupled to the primary compartment. The auxiliary compartment rotates rearwardly to form a foot for supporting the primary compartment in substantially vertical position such that the contents of the primary container are readily visible to consumers while supported on a relatively small footprint of a shelf for display. In one example, the auxiliary compartment contains utensils, napkins, or condiments for use in supplementing or consuming the food item from the primary compartment and/or is configured to couple with an outside of the primary compartment to hold the auxiliary compartment in place as a support foot for the container. In one embodiment, a lid is hingedly coupled to the primary compartment opposite the auxiliary compartment for covering a front opening of the primary compartment and maintaining the food item therein. A label or other component is used, in one example, to further maintain the auxiliary container in a storage or foot position during transport to and display in a retail store.

Turning to the Figures, FIGS. 1-7 illustrate one embodiment of a container 10 including a primary compartment 12 and an auxiliary compartment 14 coupled thereto via a hinge 16 laterally extending therebetween. In this manner, auxiliary compartment 14 rotates between an open position, as shown in FIG. 8, in which auxiliary compartment 14 is uncovered and a closed position, as shown in FIGS. 1-7, in which auxiliary compartment 14 is covered by a portion of primary compartment 12. In one example, a lock 18 is incorporated into container 10 and is configured to selectively hold auxiliary compartment 14 in the closed positioned against primary compartment 12. Container 10 includes or is otherwise configured to selectively receive a lid 20 for closing primary compartment 12 and maintaining any contents therein. According to one embodiment, when auxiliary compartment 14 is in a closed position, for example, locked in such a position, and primary compartment 12 is covered by lid 20, container 10 is configured for storage or display turned to a substantially vertical position where auxiliary compartment 14 serves as a support foot supporting primary compartment 12 there above. When so displayed, contents of primary compartment 12 are easily viewed through lid 20.

In one example, container 10 is molded, vacuum formed, thermoformed, or otherwise formed as a single piece including primary compartment 12, auxiliary compartment 14, hinge 16, and/or lid 20 from any suitable material, such as an opaque or substantially transparent material, for example, a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or similar material. Primary compartment 12 is formed with a principle wall 30, a first lateral sidewall 32, a second lateral sidewall 34, an opposing longitudinal sidewalls 36 arranged to define an opening 38 to primary compartment 12 opposite principle wall 30. In one example, primary compartment 12 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape, with second lateral sidewall 34 being positioned directly opposite first lateral sidewall 32, and opposing longitudinal sidewalls 36 each extending between opposite ends of first lateral sidewall 32 and second lateral sidewall 24. Second lateral sidewall 34 tapers outwardly from principle wall 30 toward opening 38. In one embodiment, first lateral sidewall 32 tapers outwardly from principle wall 30 toward opening 38 to define an angle A, as generally illustrated in FIG. 5, between principle wall 30 and first lateral sidewall 32. In one example, angle A is an obtuse angle between about 110° and about 150°, for example, of substantially 120°.

Primary compartment 12 defines lid coupling features 40 around a perimeter of opening 38. In one example, lid coupling features 40 includes an outwardly extending ledge 42, a vertical offset 44, a top wall 46, and a stabilizing flange 48. Outwardly extending ledge 42 extends generally outwardly from and about top edges of first lateral sidewall 32, second lateral sidewall 34, and opposing longitudinal sidewalls 36. Vertical offset 44 extends about a perimeter of outwardly extending ledge 42 from a side opposite each of corresponding first lateral sidewall 32, second lateral sidewall 34, and opposing longitudinal sidewalls 36 upwardly away from principle wall 30. Top wall 46 extends generally outwardly from and about top edges of vertical offset 44, with an optional stabilizing flange 48 extending downwardly from an outermost perimeter of top wall 46. Lid coupling features 40 such as those described herein, or other embodiments thereof as will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading the present application, are configured to frictionally or otherwise receive lid 20, as will be further described below.

Additionally, referring to FIG. 9, in one embodiment, primary compartment 12 defines a locking indentation 50 extending inwardly from a bottom or external surface of principle wall 30 along and through first lateral sidewall 32 near sidewalls 52. Locking indentation 50 includes sidewalls 52 extending inwardly from principle wall 30 and is open to and through first lateral sidewall 32, in one example. Locking indentation 50 is configured to selectively receive a component to hold auxiliary compartment 14 in a storage position, as will be further described below.

In one example, hinge 16 extends from a portion of stabilizing flange 48 corresponding with first lateral sidewall 32. More particularly, in one embodiment, hinge 16 extends away from top wall 46 and stabilizing flange 48 to an interior edge 60 of auxiliary compartment 14. Hinge 16 is configured via lessened material, feature width, perforation line, etc., to bend or rotated relative to each of primary compartment 12 and auxiliary compartment 14. As such, auxiliary compartment 14 is configured to rotate relative to primary compartment 12 via hinge 16 while remaining coupled to auxiliary compartment 14 via hinge 16.

Auxiliary compartment 14 includes, in one embodiment, a first lateral wall 70 and a second lateral wall 72 bordering each other lengthwise and each extending away from one another, such as extending substantially perpendicularly relative to one another. End sidewalls 74 extend between corresponding ends of first lateral wall 70 and second lateral wall 72 opposite one another such that top edges of first lateral wall 70, second lateral wall 72, and end sidewalls collectively define an opening 76 of auxiliary compartment 14. In one example, a substantially planar flange 78 extends about the outer perimeter of opening 76. According to one embodiment, an angle B, as generally illustrated in FIG. 5, is defined between second lateral wall 72 and the plane including opening 76, and angle B is supplementary to angle A. In one example, angle B is an acute angle between about 30° and 60°, for instance, substantially equal to 45°.

In one embodiment, as part of lock 18, a tab 80 extends away from substantially planar flange 78 on a side thereof opposite and extending away from hinge 16. In one example, tab 80 is centered laterally relative to second lateral wall 72. Tab 80 is substantially planar, in one embodiment, other than an included protrusion 82 extending away from a remainder of tab 80, that is, in a direction generally opposite the direction auxiliary compartment 14 extends from substantially planar flange 78. In one example, protrusion 82 is sized and shaped to frictionally be received by and fit within locking indentation 50. In one example, protrusion 82 includes indentations 84 from its basic shape or other features in order to have a desired amount of friction with locking indentation 50 to both hold auxiliary compartment 14 in a storage position while allowing protrusion 82 to be disengaged from locking indentation 50 when desired, that is, when tab 80 is pulled away from principle wall 30 of primary compartment 12, as will be further described below.

Lid 20 is sized and shaped to cover opening 28 of primary compartment 12 and to selectively and tightly couple with primary compartment 12 about cover opening 28. In one embodiment, lid 20 is formed as a single piece of material with primary compartment 12 and auxiliary compartment 14, while, in other embodiments, lid 20 is formed separately from primary compartment 12 and/or auxiliary compartment 14. As illustrated, in one example, lid 20 includes a primary wall 90 with a means for coupling or coupling rim extending around a perimeter of primary wall 90. In one embodiment, means for coupling include a vertical extension 92, a radial extension 94, and an outside flange 96. More specifically, vertical extension 92 extends from and about a perimeter of primary wall 90 at an angle substantially perpendicular to primary wall 90 with a height at least equal to the rise of vertical offset 44 from ledge 42 of primary compartment 12.

Radial extension 94 extends outwardly about and from a side of vertical extension 92 opposite primary wall 90, for example, to be substantially parallel with primary wall 90. In one example, radial extension 94 is formed to have width substantially equal to a width of top wall 46 of primary compartment 12. Outside flange 96 extends and about an outside perimeter edge of radial extension 94 opposite vertical extension 92, thereby forming a reception channel 54 (FIG. 8) about primary wall 90 for selectively receiving lid coupling features 40 of primary compartment 12.

In one example, where lid 20 is formed as a single piece of material with primary compartment 12, a coupling flange 100 extends between lid 20 and primary compartment 12 and is formed of the same single piece of material. Coupling flange 100 is configured to permit lid 20 to rotate relative to opening 38 of primary compartment 12 such that channel 54 receives lid coupling features 40 of primary compartment 12, as will be apparent to those of skill in the art, selectively securing lid 20 to primary compartment 12. In one embodiment, coupling flange 100 includes dual members 102 and 104 separated by a perforation line 106 extending laterally across the middle of coupling flange 100. Perforation line 106 allows dual members 102 and 104 to be folded over one another. Dual member 102 extends from lid 20 and is coupled to lid 20 along a perforation line 110; while dual member 104 extends from primary compartment 12 and is coupled to primary compartment 12 along perforation line 108. An end of dual member 102 includes a pull tab 112 and an end of dual member 104 includes a pull tab 114. Pulling on pull tab upwardly from the assembled container rips coupling flange 100 from container 10 via perforation lines 108 and 110 facilitating opening of container 10, that is removal of lid 20 from primary compartment 12, as will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading the present application.

During use of container 10, goods, such as edible or other consumable goods 120, silverware 122 and/or other items 124 corresponding to consumable goods 120 are placed in container 10, and container 10 is readied for display in a retail or other venue for selection by consumers, as illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 10-12. More specifically, silverware 122, such as disposable silverware, and/or other items 124, such as napkins, dressings, condiments, wet wipes, toothpicks, etc., are placed in auxiliary compartment 14. Subsequently, auxiliary compartment 14 is rotated about hinge 16 until opening 76 of auxiliary compartment 14 is positioned immediately adjacent first lateral sidewall 32 of primary compartment 12. Locking tab 80 is rotated toward principle wall 30 of primary compartment to move protrusion 82 into locking indentation 50 causing a friction fit coupling thereof, which holds auxiliary compartment 14 in place relative to primary compartment 12.

Referring primarily to FIGS. 5, 10, and 11, the angled nature of opening 38 and of flange 78 extending therearound is selected to match with the angle of first lateral sidewall 32, such that when opening 38 is locked in placed adjacent to first lateral sidewall 32 of primary compartment 12, second lateral wall 72 of auxiliary compartment 14 is positioned to be substantially coplanar with principle wall 30 of primary compartment 12. A salad or other principle consumable 120 is placed in primary compartment 12, and lid 20 is rotated over and coupled to lid coupling features 40 of primary compartment 12. In one example, channel 54 is pressed over top of top wall 46, vertical offset 44, and stabilizing flange 48 to friction fit therearound coupling lid 20 to primary compartment 12.

In one example, an adhesive label 140 is applied to container 10 to further secure lid 20 to primary compartment 12 and/or auxiliary compartment 14 in place with primary compartment 12. For instance, a front portion 142 of adhesive label 140 is applied to outer surface of primary wall 90 of lid 20, around hinge 16, across an external surface of first lateral wall 70, up an external surface of second lateral wall 72, and over an external surface of principle wall 30 of primary compartment 12. In this manner, adhesive label 140 provides additional security that lid 20 and/or auxiliary compartment 14 will not inadvertently uncoupled from primary compartment 12.

Once container 10 is assembled, container is turned to near vertical orientation or display orientation, for example, such that lid 20 is positioned less than about 20° from vertical as generally illustrated at angle C in FIG. 5, in such a manner that auxiliary compartment 14 serves as a foot for standing container 10 on a top surface 152 of a support shelf 250, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 13. More specifically, container 10 stands on hinge 16 and a portion of second lateral wall 72 of auxiliary compartment 14, such that primary compartment 12 sits on top of auxiliary compartment 14 and hinge 16 angled slightly rearwardly. In this manner, lid 20 is maintained at an angle from horizontal of between 45° and 90°, for example, between 70° and 90° such that, when lid 20 is transparent, consumable 120 can be easily viewed by a consumer through lid 20 while container 10 is standing on top surface 152 of support shelf 250. When in the display orientation, in one example, lid 20, is directly viewable in a front view while viewing from said angle, primary compartment 12 and auxiliary compartment 14 are positioned fully behind lid 20 either hidden from view of only viewable through lid. In addition, in the display orientation, multiple containers 10 can be placed on support shelf 250 in a manner where consumables 120 are readily displayed to consumers, as will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading the present application.

Once purchased by a consumer, label 140 is removed or broken, locking protrusion 82 is pulled out of locking indentation 50 and auxiliary compartment 14 is rotated away from principle wall 30 of primary compartment 12 releasing component 122 and/or 124 therein. Lid 20 is removed from primary compartment 12 either via pulling off coupling flange 100 and/or removing or breaking label 140 as it extends between lid 20 and primary compartment 12. Once lid 20 is removed, consumable 120 can be eaten directly from its storage location within primary compartment 12, for example, as aided by silverware 122.

Although the invention has been described with respect to particular embodiments, such embodiments are meant for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered to limit the invention. For example, various size variations are contemplated such as the size variation of container 210 as illustrated in FIGS. 14-20. Other various alternatives and changes will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading this application. Other modifications within the scope of the invention and its various embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A container comprising: a primary compartment including a principle wall, a first lateral wall, and a primary compartment opening opposite the principle wall; an auxiliary compartment including a first wall and a second wall extending away from each other, and an auxiliary compartment opening extending between the first wall and the second wall; and a hinge rotatably coupling the primary compartment to the auxiliary compartment such that the auxiliary compartment is rotatably between an open position and a closed position; wherein when the auxiliary compartment is in the closed position, the auxiliary compartment opening faces and is substantially covered by the first lateral wall.
 2. The container of claim 1, wherein: a locking tab extends away from the auxiliary compartment opposite the primary compartment, the locking tab includes one of a locking indentation and a locking protrusion, the principle wall includes an other one of the locking indentation and the locking protrusion, and the locking indentation selectively receives the locking protrusion to frictionally maintain the auxiliary compartment in the closed position.
 3. The container of claim 1, wherein the container is configured to be stood on a shelf in a display orientation such that the primary compartment is supported on top of the auxiliary compartment.
 4. The container of claim 3, wherein when the container is in the display orientation, the container is configured such that only the hinge and the auxiliary compartment contact the shelf and the remainder of the container extends upwardly from the hinge and the auxiliary compartment.
 5. The container of claim 1, wherein the first lateral wall of the primary compartment is angled relative to the principle wall at least 120 degrees.
 6. The container of claim 5, wherein the auxiliary compartment opening is defined in a plane, and the plane is angled relative to the second wall at an angle that is supplementary to the angle at which the first lateral wall of the primary container is angled at relative to the principle wall.
 7. The container of claim 6, wherein the first wall and the second wall of the auxiliary compartment extend substantially perpendicularly relative to each other.
 8. The container of claim 1, wherein the first lateral wall of the primary compartment is angled relative to the principle wall at a first angle, the auxiliary compartment opening is defined in a plane, and the plane is angled relative to the second wall at a second angle that is supplementary to the first angle.
 9. The container of claim 1, further comprising: a lid selectively couplable to the primary compartment about the primary compartment opening.
 10. The container of claim 9, wherein the container is formed of a single piece of substantially transparent material, and when the lid is removed from the primary compartment opening, the lid is coupled to and extends away from the primary compartment opposite the auxiliary compartment.
 11. The container of claim 9, wherein the container is configured to be stood on a shelf in a display orientation such that the primary compartment is supported on top of the auxiliary compartment, and the lid is positioned along a plane less than about 25 degrees from vertical.
 12. The container of claim 9, further comprising: an adhesive label applied to each of the lid, the auxiliary compartment and the principle wall of the primary compartment.
 13. The container of claim 9, wherein when the container is in the display orientation, both the primary compartment and the auxiliary compartment are positioned behind the lid of the container such that the primary compartment and the auxiliary compartment are positioned substantially entirely behind the lid when the container is viewed from a position in front of the lid of the container.
 14. The container of claim 1, wherein the container is formed of a single piece of substantially transparent material.
 15. The container of claim 1, in combination with a consumable product stored in the primary compartment and accessory items stored in the auxiliary compartment.
 16. The container of claim 1, in combination with a consumable product stored in the primary compartment and silverware stored in the auxiliary compartment.
 17. A packaged product comprising: a primary compartment including a principle wall, a first lateral wall, and a primary compartment opening opposite the principle wall; a consumable item stored in the primary compartment; an auxiliary compartment including a first wall and a second wall extending away from each other, and an auxiliary compartment opening extending between the first wall and the second wall; at least one accessory item stored in and selectively removable from the auxiliary compartment; and a hinge rotatably coupling the primary compartment to the auxiliary compartment such that the auxiliary compartment is rotatably between an open position and a closed position; wherein when the auxiliary compartment is in the closed position, the auxiliary compartment opening faces and is substantially covered by the first lateral wall.
 18. The packaged product of claim 17, further comprising: a lid selectively couplable to the primary compartment about the primary compartment opening, the lid being formed as part of the single piece of material coupled to the primary compartment opposite the auxiliary compartment.
 19. The packaged product of claim 17, wherein: a locking tab extends away from the auxiliary compartment opposite the primary compartment, the locking tab includes one of a locking indentation and a locking protrusion, the principle wall includes an other one of the locking indentation and the locking protrusion, and the locking indentation selectively receives the locking protrusion to frictionally maintain the auxiliary compartment in the closed position.
 20. A method of forming a packaged product comprising: providing a container including: a primary compartment including a principle wall, a first lateral wall, and a primary compartment opening opposite the principle wall; an auxiliary compartment including a first wall and a second wall extending away from each other, and an auxiliary compartment opening extending between the first wall and the second wall; a hinge rotatably coupling the primary compartment to the auxiliary compartment such that the auxiliary compartment is rotatably between an open position and a closed position; placing a consumable item in the primary compartment; placing at least one accessory item in the auxiliary compartment; securing the auxiliary compartment in the closed position such that the auxiliary compartment opening faces and is substantially covered by the first lateral wall; and standing the container on a support shelf independent of any additional support such that the primary compartment sits on top of the auxiliary compartment. 